Four different Championship clubs have independently lodged interest in Freeman below £5m. Given the scouting networks and general transfer market workings across clubs it suggests that that is a realistic valuation of the player, and QPR paid £350k 18 months ago to sign him. He had a good season last year in terms of assists it's been anut otherwise has had a middling Championship career to date at Bristol City and QPR.

Granted teams may be looking to capitalise on QPR being in breach of FFP and under an embargo.

Four different Championship clubs have independently lodged interest in Freeman below £5m, given the scouting networks and general transfer market workings across clubs it suggests that that is a realistic valuation of the player. He had a good season last year in terms of assists but otherwise has had a middling Championship career to date at Bristol City and QPR.

Granted teams may be looking to capitalise on QPR being in breach of FFP and under an embargo.

You said it was "very odd". That's generally used as a criticism...

QPR haven't sold for any of those bids, so they're clearly not realistic valuations. It may be what teams feel he'd be worth a punt for, but it's not enough to get QPR interested in selling. And their valuation is the one that matters.

It's odd given the facts stated in my post, the subjective opinion of a fan writing the article is an opinion their entitled too. But the fact is we've come in with a 33% increase on previous interest of 3 other clubs, two of which are clubs with sizable stature in this division. It would also represent a large profit considering what they paid 18 months ago.

In the context a bid below £3m from us would have been laughable, but at least we're heading in the right direction.

Gibbon is right that a players valuation is ultimately what a buying club is willing to pay to secure the player. We clearly feel that his valuation is around £4m as a player, which isn't dissimilar from 3 other teams. If QPR want £10m we're clearly going to walk away as we don't have money to burn, that doesn't make our bid laughable.

Dack is unproven at this level currently but he is a couple of years younger and comes with more potential given his goals, assists and his player of the year awards. I don't think his valuation would be that dissimilar from clubs looking to get a good deal, around the £4/5m mark, he's been subject to bids in the past of around £2m when at Gillingham and we managed to get him for £750k.